GHS Super Steels on a short scale bass

[Dan_reeves]

I did a little digging, and didn't really find this overtly addressed. My apologies if this has been covered already.

Has anyone ever used the Super Steels on a 30" scale bass? The bass in particular is a Bronco - I see the Super Steels come in a medium scale (35" or so winding) but not a short scale version. I would presume that some of the thicker part of the E string would wind around the post? I modded the headstock and am using tuning posts that can take it, so not a huge concern there. But it should work, right? Any experiences/thoughts out there? Thanks!

 

[Vinny_G]

The Medium Scale set measure 35.5" from the ball end to the taper (between the nut and the tuning peg), which is shorter than long scale strings, which are typically around 37". Can you measure the distance between the back of your bridge and your E string tuner? If it is more than that, this set should be suitable for your bass.

If in doubt, you can always ask the question here: M2B2 Club (Mustang, MusicMaster, Bullet, Bronco)

 

[Dan_reeves]

Well, I already know that the Super Steels are going to be longer than what I need on paper - so I guess I am wondering more if anyone has used them on a short scale, knowing that the speaking length of the string is going to end up on the tuning post.

 

[Lewguitar]

Well, I already know that the Super Steels are going to be longer than what I need on paper - so I guess I am wondering more if anyone has used them on a short scale, knowing that the speaking length of the string is going to end up on the tuning post.

And now I'm wondering the same thing.

Lee Sklar uses the GHS Super Steel mediums on his Fender bass. I'd like to try them on my short scale Ibane MiKro.

Been searching online for a short scale set of the GHS Super Steel Mediums....

 

[michael_t]

Lee Sklar uses the GHS Super Steel mediums on his Fender bass. I'd like to try them on my short scale Ibane MiKro.

Been searching online for a short scale set of the GHS Super Steel Mediums....

First, Lee Sklar has always used the Super Steels L5000 set (40-58-80-102) on his main bass ("Frankenstein") since the mid-70's.

Secondly, the Super Steels don't come in "short scale" as such, the shortest being "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length (ball end to taper/silk).

 

[Lewguitar]

First, Lee Sklar has always used the Super Steels L5000 set (40-58-80-102) on his main bass ("Frankenstein") since the mid-70's.

Secondly, the Super Steels don't come in "short scale" as such, the shortest being "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length (ball end to taper/silk).

I have a new set of round wound Ernie Ball Regular Slinky bass strings.

They're 45 -105 short scale strings.

Guess I'll give them a shot.

Hoping to get a deeper, more solid sound out of the low E than I'm getting from the stock strings which are still like new and have not been changed.

This would be for this MiKro Bass with Bartolini pickups.

The Bartolinis transformed this $200 bass into something fabulous.

They cost as much as the bass but I've never heard better bass pickups.

Everything I was hoping for.

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

First, Lee Sklar has always used the Super Steels L5000 set (40-58-80-102) on his main bass ("Frankenstein") since the mid-70's.

Secondly, the Super Steels don't come in "short scale" as such, the shortest being "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length (ball end to taper/silk).

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

First, Lee Sklar has always used the Super Steels L5000 set (40-58-80-102) on his main bass ("Frankenstein") since the mid-70's.

Secondly, the Super Steels don't come in "short scale" as such, the shortest being "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length (ball end to taper/silk).

Ken Smith has a short scale set of stainless steel strings that are short scale, they are listed under custom sets. They are stainless steel strings, made by GHS, to Ken Smith’s specifications.

 

[michael_t]

Ken Smith has a short scale set of stainless steel strings that are short scale, they are listed under custom sets. They are stainless steel strings, made by GHS, to Ken Smith’s specifications.

I didn't even know Ken Smith had short-scale sets available. Would you be able to post a link for them?

 

[nick4bass]

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I've used these, they're pretty good IMO

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

I suggest going to juststrings.com, going to Ken Smith, then look under master series, custom balanced sets.

 

[Lewguitar]

I didn't even know Ken Smith had short-scale sets available. Would you be able to post a link for them?

Here they are:
Link Removed

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

Link Removed

I've used these, they're pretty good IMO

I use the Medium scale set of these on my Squier Jaguar H, outstanding strings!

Link Removed

I've used these, they're pretty good IMO

 

[michael_t]

Link Removed

I've used these, they're pretty good IMO

I suggest going to juststrings.com, going to Ken Smith, then look under master series, custom balanced sets.

Here they are:
Link Removed

The only thing about the Ken Smith "short scale" is the actual winding length is 34.5" (ball end to taper), which qualifies more as "medium scale", which is only 1" shorter than their "medium scale" (35.5"). GHS "short scale" is 32.75".

 

[Lewguitar]

GHS "short scale" is 32.75".

But I don't see a roundwound stainless steel set anywhere. I see the GHS Precision Flats but no roundwounds.

Ernie Ball makes roundwound short scale strings for $20 a set, but I've not seen them in stainless steel.

 

[michael_t]

But I don't see a roundwound stainless steel set anywhere. I see the GHS Precision Flats but no roundwounds..

That was exactly the point I was trying to make earlier; GHS Super Steels only come in "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length. That's when Ken Smith "short scale" was suggested as an alternative. The only thing is the Ken Smith "short scale" is only 1" shorter than GHS "medium scale" at 34.5".